The Best Bars for Foodies in Cleveland

House of Blues Restaurant and Bar is a laid-back place to enjoy tasty food and well-made drinks in Cleveland. Conveniently located near Progressive Field, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, it offers an inviting combo of authentic American food, live music, and art. The menu features made-from-scratch Southern-inspired cooking, including Voodoo Shrimp and Carolina Mess. Their bar is always full of energy and they offer both contemporary and classic specialty cocktails, spirits and craft beer.

The Standard is a popular gastro-tavern and a strong anchor in the E. 185th Street bar scene. It offers a variety of fine French Moroccan cuisine and they hand-select and craft all their dishes daily with seasonal and local ingredients. They offer many great bourbons, wine and other spirits to accompany your meal or as an aperitif. Come in for happy and try one of their specialty elixirs and a sampling of small plates. Menu items include the Roasted Cauliflower, Slovenian sausage plate and the grilled Halloumi.

Market Garden Brewery is hands-down one of the best bars in Cleveland for beer lovers. The popular restaurant and bar feature a 3,000 square food “American beer garden,” three fireplaces, two indoor bars, and a private dining space for up to 400 people. The brewpub offers a modern American pub menu featuring local and organic ingredients sourced from the West Side Market and Farms in the community. Choose from the variety of beers on tap that span the spectrum from easy-drinking lagers to big, hoppy IPAs and porters.

Located on Harvard Road in Orange Village, Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant is a popular spot for great food and wine tasting in the Cleveland area. It combines modern, casual dining with award-winning, handcrafted wines. The menu features fresh, contemporary-American fare infused with flavors from all over the world. They also have an awesome full-service bar with private party spaces and a Napa-style tasting room where you can order wine flights and sample any bottle you like. While you’re dining, make sure to look and the bin numbers on the menu - they guide you in selecting the perfect wine to pair with your dish.

Blu the Restaurant is a creation of Brad Friedlander, the mastermind behind some of Cleveland’s most critically-acclaimed restaurants. Located on Richmond Road in Beachwood, it’s an upscale steakhouse and seafood place built on the premise of using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients, made by talented chefs and served with gracious hospitality. From raw bar to scratch dishes to Wagyu steaks, they promise the best of everything. The sleek bar inside and the beautiful outside bar feature delicious cocktails and an extensive wine list.

Square 22 Restaurant and Bar, located on Pearl Road in Strongsville, offers a great setting for casual food and drinks. Many locals consider it one of the best bars in Cleveland and the energy inside blends downtown cool and vibrant block party. The interior features a sleek black walnut bar and wood rafters, giving it an industrial feel. Choose from the delicious list of appetizers, like ahi tuna poke, fried wontons or the pig wing, and pair it with a sophisticated craft cocktail.

The Cabin Club, located on Detroit Road in Westlake, is a favorite bar and restaurant for West Side residents. Housed in a historic, timber-framed log cabin, once a private hunting lodge, the building dates back to World War II. The restaurant features a casual but sophisticated atmosphere and exceptional service. They have a loyal following of regulars that treat it like a second home! It’s the place to go for thick, juicy steaks, the freshest seafood around and an award-winning wine list.

Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant and Club, located in Downtown Cleveland on E. 4th Street, is a complete entertainment experience at one of the best bars in Cleveland. The restaurant features a 185-seat restaurant offering American rustic cuisine made from scratch. The Martini Bar and Taproom has an elegant and posh vibe and serves the latest and most innovative martinis in town. Dine outside on the patio or check out the Pickwick & Frolic stage productions in the Frolic Cabaret. The establishment also boasts the only Champagne Bar in Cleveland!

For one of the best bars in Cleveland on the lakefront, head to Don’s Lighthouse. It’s just a short drive from downtown’s sports, theater and concert districts and offers a casually elegant place to dine and drink in the Cleveland West neighborhood. Situated in a landmark building, Don’s offers the freshest seafood, steaks, and pork chops as well as small plates like the Baked Brie, Shrimp Cocktail and Bruschetta. The Happy Hour menu offers great deals on their signature martinis, like the Appletini and the Pineapple Lemonade.

Pier W, located on Lake Avenue in Lakewood, is a landmark Cleveland restaurant and bar. Open since 1965, it is famous for its critically-acclaimed seafood and contemporary American food and the luxurious bar. It’s a full-service, white-tablecloth spot with a unique waterfront location. The minimalist dining room design frames the spectacular views of Lake Erie and the Cleveland skyline. And locals love the lively, 50-seat bar and cocktail lounge with live piano and fantastic cocktails, beer and wine.

Parker’s Downtown, located on 9th street in the Kimpton Schofield Hotel, is a casually elegant Contemporary American restaurant with an awesome bar. They offer an urban dining menu with added daily dishes. Standout options include the Pub Fries with the Works, the grilled monk fish and chicken pot pie. The restaurant has an expansive layout with strong architectural lines and urban rustic decor. The spacious interior and unpretentious bar make it a great place to hang out and enjoy the collection of beers, wines and cocktails that refresh and enthuse the brain, palate and spriit.

Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink is a vibrant neighborhood bistro located on Tuttle Road in Shaker Heights. James-Beard Award-winning chef/owner Michael Schwartz uses a fresh, simple, pure approach to cooking, showcased in dishes like the short rib fettucine, Homemade pastrami sandwich and the Pan Roasted ½ chicken. They have an extensive wine list of hand-selected bottles and a cool cocktail list with inventive creations like the Jack Attack II, made with Espolon Blanco Tequila, Ancho Reyes, Cointreau and Lime.

Lago East Bank, located on 10th Street in The Flats neighborhood, is a unique restaurant and bar concept that emphasizes togetherness and celebration. The restaurant features a regional and contemporary menu of everything from northern Piedmontese Italian to Sicilian seafood dishes. The bar serves a thoughtful menu of Italian-inspired handcrafted cocktails and martinis. And they have a predominantly Italian wine list and an all-European draft beer selection. Come enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere where good food and good friends gather to drink and dine well.

Taste is a casually elegant bar and restaurant and a great place for food, wine and fun. Located in Lee Road’s growing restaurant row, it’s a short walk from the Cedar-Lee Theatre, making it a perfect pre-movie stop. The restaurant has an eclectic menu with a wide-ranging list of appetizers, entrees and sides.They also have a lively bar scene with an awesome wine list and great cocktails. Come in for Happy Hour to enjoy specials on small plates, like the Arancini di Riso, Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers and Spicy Garlic Shrimp, and beer, wine and cocktails.

Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille is a super fun restaurant and bar located on Old Lake Road in Cleveland West. Cleveland locals and visitors alike love it here, both for the super fresh seafood and the exciting bar scene. The menu features a fusion of Pacific Rim cuisine with all-American favorites, like the award-winning Lobster Bisque, Ahi Sashimi or signature Salmon. Happy Hour at the lively bar is always a treat! Come in to enjoy special deals on small bites and handcrafted cocktails, like the Dragon Herb Sazerac, made with Maker’s Mark, Tarragon Simple Syrup and Peychaud’s bitters.